[0:00] [Music] [0:15] Elizabeth, Ramsey [0:19] County, Ramsey County [0:27] Libraries. Ramsey County Library [0:40] systems, director of libraries in the [0:42] Ramsey County, [0:45] Andrea, [0:48] librarian. Thanks so much for being here [0:50] today. Um, so I want to start off with [0:53] introductions just so we get a a vibe [0:55] and feel of who is here at the table [0:57] today. Uh, Ping and Andrea, if you can [0:59] just tell us a little bit about [1:00] yourselves and your roles at Ramsey [1:02] County. [1:09] So, we'll start with you. All [1:14] right. Director of Library Services [1:18] Ramsey [1:20] County Andrew. Um, I am a children's [1:23] librarian and I work at the Roseville [1:26] Library and I've been with Ramsey County [1:28] for about six years now and I worked um [1:31] for a little while in White Bear Lake as [1:33] well and I've been in public libraries [1:35] for about 12 years. Gotcha. Thank you [1:47] sir. Yes. [1:54] Thank you. And when we're talking about [1:56] libraries, right, can you just give us [1:58] uh a highlevel maybe big picture view of [2:01] of Ramsey County Libraries? what is it [2:04] that you would like um our audience to [2:05] know um about libraries right away? So [2:11] [Music] [2:15] um Ramsey County [2:22] [Applause] [2:31] libraries county [2:35] Suburban Ramsey [2:38] County [2:40] System. Paul Library [2:45] System Roseville Library. Roseville [2:48] Library. [3:08] programs [3:19] computers [3:23] printers maker space labs. [3:35] Wow. Okay. [3:38] Um, something you may not know is that [3:41] we have uh programs and events at the [3:43] library as well. And um we actually [3:46] offer over 80 free programs and events [3:49] each week at Ramsey County Libraries. [3:52] Um, and I'll start off. Oh, go ahead. [4:06] Um and just to highlight a few of the [4:09] children's programs. Um each library [4:12] location offers story times. Um we have [4:16] a baby and me story time and a family [4:18] story time at all seven locations. [4:32] library. There are also um arts programs [4:36] and STEM related programs and um maker [4:40] programs and other literacy related [4:43] programs. Um and it varies by location. [4:47] Um [4:52] Makers [5:02] [Music] [5:04] program and I work at Roseville and on [5:08] Fridays uh every morning I offer a [5:11] program called um Friday and it changes [5:14] every week and it is fun. So Friday um [5:18] and this for example this morning we did [5:21] a block party and it's it's for any age [5:25] child but it tends to be towards smaller [5:27] children especially during the school [5:29] year and so um I had 130 children and [5:33] families come to the block party this [5:35] morning and basically we just had a [5:37] variety of blocks to play with. Um it [5:40] was very fun and every you know you're [5:42] you can do pretend play you can build [5:45] structures you can um work together you [5:49] know learning how to share so that's [5:51] what I did this morning before I came [5:53] here Friday [6:13] Wow, that's um a lot of really fun [6:15] excitement um at the library. So [6:17] certainly there's so much more that [6:19] libraries offer. Um, so I definitely [6:21] want to learn more, but before we get to [6:23] that, uh, Ping, I think it's really [6:25] important that we learn more about you. [6:27] Um, Ping, you are a M woman who serves [6:30] as our director of our entire Ramsey [6:33] County Library System. Um, what has this [6:35] role meant to you? And so, um, [6:42] [Music] [6:49] Ramsey County Library [6:52] Systems. What does it mean to [6:59] you? Library [7:04] director County. Um, [7:16] so [7:21] [Music] [7:33] represent. Um [7:38] so [7:41] [Music] [7:46] liaries [7:55] libraries [8:01] library [8:05] computer [8:11] library. Um [8:29] [Music] [8:42] Yeah, thank you so much. [8:46] Wow. For libraries, Ramsey County [8:48] Libraries. What is [8:52] that? Ramsey County [8:59] Library. [9:06] Um county [9:11] library resource [9:20] information. Okay, you're helping me a [9:24] lot. Andrea, what brought you into [9:26] library work? I think it's a wonderful [9:28] thing to know more about our librarians [9:30] and the work you do every day. Um, but [9:32] also what inspires you and drives you [9:33] into this work. So, Andrea, [9:41] um, [9:46] um, I think libraries have always been a [9:48] part of my life since childhood and [9:51] going to the public library in my tiny [9:54] small town. um with the old Carnegie [9:57] building and books stacked, you know, to [10:00] the ceiling. Um really it was hard to [10:02] find books in that library. [10:05] Um, do you want to [10:25] And on top of that, I would say I'm a [10:27] very missiondriven person and I want to [10:30] do work that means a lot to me and um I [10:33] have always seen the public library as [10:35] this space where community is welcome. [10:39] Um it brings in people from all walks of [10:42] life, from um all cultural backgrounds, [10:45] um all ages. So, it's just a very unique [10:49] public space and um connected with my [10:54] personal love of reading and learning. I [10:57] think all together um just pulled me [11:00] into the public library setting as a [11:02] worker. [11:32] Great. Thank you so much for sharing [11:34] about yourself, Andrea. Um earlier we [11:36] talked about libraries are not just [11:39] about books, right? You mentioned a [11:40] couple different programming. I think a [11:42] very special program um that I'm excited [11:45] to learn more about is our summer [11:47] reading program that helps supports kids [11:50] and children. And so I'm wondering [11:52] Andrea if you can talk just a little bit [11:53] more about our summer reading program. [11:55] Uh [11:58] so libraries [12:03] program summer reading [12:06] [Music] [12:10] program. Um, [12:15] sure. Um, so our summer reading program [12:18] um has multiple parts. Um, there is the [12:22] encouragement um and incentives to keep [12:25] reading throughout the summer. um for [12:28] children and teens um especially in [12:30] children it's really important um to [12:34] keep up those skills during the summer [12:37] because um what we know as the summer [12:39] slide which is basically a regression in [12:42] learning like your f kids forget things [12:45] over the summer um [12:48] [Music] [12:50] and reading [13:09] So, we have um the summer reading [13:12] program to help families encourage their [13:14] kids to keep reading during the summer. [13:17] Um and um so our summer reading program [13:21] uh has a print reading log which you can [13:25] pick up at any Ramsey County Library [13:27] location there where you are tracking [13:30] the books that you're reading. And then [13:32] there's also an app called Beanstack [13:34] that you can do um just download onto [13:37] your a device um or just jump onto a [13:40] computer to track your reading. Um okay. [14:04] Mhm. And it's not specific books. You [14:07] choose the books that you want to read. [14:09] And of course, we have a wide variety at [14:12] the library for you to choose from. Um, [14:15] [Music] [14:29] Um, and our summer reading program [14:31] starts June 2nd. Um, and that's when you [14:34] can pick up information at the library. [14:36] Um, or jump online and start tracking [14:39] your reading. Um, and then we also have [14:42] some prizes. So, if you need some [14:44] incentives for your children, um we you [14:48] can pick up a prize right at the [14:49] beginning when you sign up. And then, um [14:52] if you finish, hopefully you'll finish, [14:55] um you can come in and pick a free book [14:57] from our book cart, which has a range of [15:00] books to meet every child's interests, [15:02] right? [15:05] Okay. Reading [15:23] program. We also have a grand prize [15:25] drawing. Um, and so when you finish, [15:28] your name is entered into the drawing [15:30] and we give away free tickets to the [15:32] state fair. So, four packs of tickets to [15:35] the state fair. Um, and then also four [15:38] packs of tickets to Sea Life at the Mall [15:40] of America. And then we give we also [15:43] have a a a new prize at the Eagle's Nest [15:47] uh in New Brighton at the there's a city [15:50] center and it's next to the New Brighton [15:53] Library. Um, so we're giving two packs [15:55] of tickets away to the Eagles Fest. It's [15:57] an indoor playground. Thank [15:59] [Music] [16:14] you. foreign. [16:33] We also have a teen summer reading [16:35] program um where we are encouraging [16:37] teens to write a little bit about a book [16:39] that they've read and they also um have [16:42] some incentives for teens too. Um so [16:45] gift gift cards to different area [16:48] businesses and a free book. So teens are [16:52] also brought into the summer reading [16:54] program as well. [16:58] So [17:23] Fore. Just one more thing. We have lots [17:26] of programs and events going on in the [17:28] summer. So, check our website and pick [17:31] up a brochure. [17:42] Great. Wow, that was a lot of wonderful [17:44] information. Honestly, just uh knowing [17:46] that it's summer, just the the impact [17:49] that continuing to read and learn during [17:52] the summertime outside of the school uh [17:54] calendar year is so important. I love [17:56] that. I want to know more about like [17:58] early literacy and the importance of [18:00] that. Um I know that it's a big focus [18:02] for our Ramsey County Libraries. How are [18:05] we or how are you in the Ramsey County [18:07] Library System supporting families and [18:09] parents with this mission? So, [18:12] um [18:19] literacy are young young [18:27] folks. Sure. Um so just to define early [18:31] literacy first um it really is um what [18:35] happens leading up to learning how to [18:38] read. So it is not learning how to read. [18:41] It is building language skills and also [18:45] some pre-iteracy skills like um print [18:49] awareness. That sounds like a big [18:52] concept, but it's understanding um how [18:54] books work like that. You open a book. [18:57] Go ahead. [18:59] Good. Literacy [19:14] program. You say print awareness. [19:19] [Music] [19:35] to to clarify. Um, print [19:45] awareness. That's print awareness. [20:04] Linda. So that's the print awareness. [20:06] Um, great. Thanks for explaining that. [20:09] Yeah. And there are other literacy [20:12] skills that we could talk more about, [20:15] but I think maybe in libraries, what we [20:17] do to support parents, you may not need [20:20] to know those specific skills. Um, but [20:23] we focus on things like singing, [20:26] talking, reading, writing, and playing [20:29] as the things that you can do every day [20:32] with your child to help them build those [20:35] early literacy skills. And oh, go ahead [20:38] first and then. [21:20] pencil. She cran [21:39] Yeah, thank you. Um, parents and [21:41] caregivers are really their child's [21:44] first teacher and it's so important. Um, [21:48] I know we live in a society where um, [21:51] English is the language that we speak [21:54] uh, the official language, right? Um but [21:56] at home it's really important for [21:59] children to develop fluency in their [22:00] first their native language. Um and they [22:03] can go on to then translate concepts [22:06] around reading and learning. But um I [22:09] think that's just something interesting [22:10] and really important to know. [22:46] Yeah, thanks so much. I um I also want [22:48] to learn more about the book club and a [22:51] bag I think was a program too. Um can [22:54] you just share more about that as well, [22:55] Andrea? [22:59] So book club in a bag. Sure. Um yes, [23:03] essentially we have book clubs in a bag, [23:06] right? So there's 10 10 copies of a [23:09] book. Um, and it comes with um a a [23:13] notebook with questions and prompts that [23:16] can facilitate conversations around the [23:19] books. Um, and these are checked out [23:22] just like any other book. Um and then [23:25] O2. [23:38] [Music] [23:48] And just a another interesting [23:50] collection we have is um these story [23:54] bags. So for younger learners and [23:56] readers. Um so it comes with two picture [23:59] books and then a toy that relates to the [24:02] picture book. And there are different [24:04] themes for each story bag. Um can you [24:07] just hold that up a little bit higher? [24:26] I love that. Thank you for sharing and [24:27] bringing that. There are this one is [24:30] jungle is the theme. And then I have [24:32] another one too. [24:34] [Music] [24:35] Um this one is peacocks are the theme. [24:39] So two books and then a peacock puppet. [24:41] But they all have um a theme, two books, [24:44] and then a toy, which I think [24:47] is Andrew, can you just hold that up? [25:05] Okay, thank you. Wow, those are really [25:07] fun [25:11] bags. Um, yeah, I think another thing [25:13] that when we're talking about this [25:15] importance of literacy, right? [25:18] Uh, talk to me about like the homework [25:21] help. I think that I heard a little bit [25:22] about that. If you could just elaborate [25:24] on that a little bit, too. Sure. Um, at [25:27] Roseville, we do have an in-person [25:29] homework help program. Um, and during [25:32] the school year, so on Monday and [25:36] Tuesday evenings, um, you basically walk [25:39] in, there's no [25:41] pre-registration. Um, and then we have [25:43] volunteer tutors who can help you on [25:46] something that you might be struggling [25:48] with in your homework or if you just [25:50] need a little extra help in math. Um, so [25:53] they're there Monday and Tuesday uh for [25:56] a 2hour span and you just walk in and [25:59] sign up. [26:23] And I know you mentioned Roseville, but [26:25] this is available at all the libraries [26:26] as well, just on different days that it [26:29] is now. We don't have in-person help, [26:31] but we do have a homework help resource [26:34] online. Okay. that does have live tutors [26:38] to chat basically. So that is an online [26:41] resource that um anyone with the library [26:44] card can access. Great. Thanks for the [26:46] clarification. [27:06] computer. So, it's very clear that [27:08] libraries are not just about books as [27:10] we've been um alluding to here. Uh so, [27:14] again, we know libraries offer so much [27:16] more. Can we just do kind of a highlevel [27:19] um uh review of just some other [27:21] programming that we've not yet mentioned [27:23] in this conversation? [27:25] So [27:28] liaries is more than [27:34] just that the libraries offer. Yeah. Um [27:43] yeah [27:44] resource [28:03] program very fast internet [28:08] Wi-Fi [28:25] computers. [28:29] So library [28:41] Ramsey County [28:50] Library. Maplewood [28:55] Library. Okay. [29:09] Yeah. So like [29:20] room. [29:27] Okay. Um Okay. Meeting [29:35] room meeting rooms [29:45] acidate maker [29:53] spaceaker 3D [29:55] printing laser [29:58] engraving. Um you [30:02] um try something new or [30:24] like Oh wow. Okay. Yeah. [30:28] services is available at our Ramsey [30:30] County Libraries. That's incredible. [30:44] Um, okay. Okay. [30:51] library [30:57] system. Um specifically in the [31:00] community, what what is available? How [31:02] are we connecting with our community? Um [31:09] yeah library. [31:14] So Maplewood Library [31:24] postal [31:28] worker [31:38] library or take ownership over [31:43] lim [31:45] libraries exist. [31:47] [Music] [31:50] Um [31:57] so okay [32:11] [Applause] [32:14] library Oh, [32:22] wow. Okay. Yes. Thank you so much for [32:24] that. Um I I just before we wrap up [32:27] today, I want to ask both of you. Um [32:30] what are some of your hopes or wishes uh [32:33] as you move forward? Um or maybe even [32:36] again just what you hope our community [32:37] can take away from today's conversation [32:40] about Ramsey County Libraries. We [32:41] certainly went over a lot of really [32:43] great resources, programming, uh, things [32:45] that that is being offered, but you [32:47] know, another takeaway that you would [32:49] like our audience to have. [33:00] hopes, you know, [33:03] for the Ramsey County [33:07] Libraries, Andrea. Well, we certainly [33:10] hope that families and individuals in [33:12] the community will keep coming and using [33:14] the free resources that we have [33:16] available. Um, and as I said before, I [33:20] just feel so strongly about the library [33:21] as such a beautiful community and public [33:24] space. So, we need to um make sure they [33:28] continue into the future. So, please [33:30] come use our resources. [33:49] Great. Thanks. [34:00] Great. So I think uh what I am hearing [34:03] is a lot of community centered um [34:06] missions and and values and that's part [34:08] of the hope that you continue to have as [34:10] you move forward. So thanks so much for [34:12] that. Um one last question. So for [34:14] anyone who is watching us, where can [34:16] they go to learn more? How do they [34:17] connect with Ramsey County Library? So [34:21] um question [34:31] Ramsey County [34:34] Libraries. So yeah. So Andrea, we'll go [34:37] with you. So we have seven suburban [34:40] library locations. Um [34:43] Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, [34:48] North St. Paul, [34:50] Roseville, Shore View, and in Wiper [34:53] Lake. and and of course you can go to [34:57] any of them to find out plenty of [34:59] information. Um you can also go to our [35:02] website um which is rclreads.org [35:06] and find out all about events and use [35:08] our catalog to search for books and [35:11] there's plenty of information on the [35:13] website. [35:21] Great. Roseville, Mountains View. View [35:24] Brighton. New Brighton. Uh, [35:28] North St. Paul. North St. Paul. [35:43] Ramsey County [35:46] Library Area [35:48] Liro Area [36:04] Libran [36:05] County Library System Washington County [36:08] Library System. [36:14] So Ramsey County Library. Yeah. Awesome. [36:17] And I think there's an app too. And then [36:19] I can also provide phone numbers for all [36:21] the different locations. I'm so excited [36:23] to continue to learn more about our [36:25] libraries. But we also have a um mobile [36:27] app which we will also um link to the [36:30] show as well. Um but yeah, any final [36:33] words at all? Otherwise, thanks so much [36:35] for being here today. Um, thank you [36:37] Thomas for being here to interpret for [36:39] us as well. Um, any final words? [36:43] No. Thank you. Yeah. [36:50] [Music]